What you should do if you don't want to wear a mask because it infringes on your freedoms · 9:10pm Jul 2nd, 2020
Hey guys, so in the USA, there are tens of millions of people that refuse to wear a mask because it "infringes on my freedoms" and because of an article they read on Facebook talking about how masks are going to cause Americans to become Muslim and wear hijabs.
And that's fine. You do you, right? But in my opinion, I don't think your stance goes far enough. I mean, after all, if you see someone isn't wearing a mask, then maybe they just forgot about it at home and decided, "eh, it's just one shopping trip, I probably won't get COVID if I go in just this once without a mask." Now, surely you don't want people to confuse someone like you, a principled and free American with a patriotic moral stance on not wearing a mask, with someone who just simply fOrGoT their mask, right?
So here's what you should do to make sure that everyone can identify a noble American like you when they see you in public!
Step 1.) Get a traffic cone. Make sure the bottom of it is nice and wide.
Step 2.) Insert the tip of the traffic cone into your mouth. Make sure it gets all the way in there so that your teeth keep it in place.
Step 3.) Get some duct tape and do a very thorough job of taping the traffic cone to your mouth so that it doesn't fall out. When other people see this big honkin traffic cone sticking out of your mouth, it will let other people know without a shadow of a doubt that you're a person of integrity, character, and that you aren't afraid of no China flu virus!
Step 4.) Go to a public place with poor ventilation and crowds of people. Try Florida, since they still haven't fallen for the librul propaganda and closed things down yet despite record numbers of cases being reported by the fake news media!
Step 5.) Take a lot of deep breaths. Since you have the traffic cone, any virus particles in the air will be funneled very quickly and efficiently into your mouth and lungs. This will also give the virus a head start to get a deeply into your respiratory system as possible upon first exposure.
Step 6.) Take pictures of yourself with the traffic cone in your mouth and walking around public places and post them on Facebook so that everyone knows that you're a true, freedom-loving American patriot!
Step 7.) Before you head home, make sure to lick the entire inside of the traffic cone so that you can catch all of the virus particles and droplets that may have collected on the inside of the cone and didn't enter your mouth and respiratory tract.
Step 8.) Go home, lock yourself in your room, and let the virus take its course. If you don't die or have an asymptomatic case, then you can gloat on Facebook about how strong your immune system is! Stronger than all of those pathetic immunocompromised grandmas that died in those nursing homes, for sure! And if you die, then hey, I guess God just decided that it was your time and there was nothing whatsoever you could do about it. And you know what else? You can die knowing that you were a martyr for a noble, patriotic cause, too!
...
The USA is so beyond fucked. We are the only developed country that has a large, likely at least 30% of the population, that refuses to wear a piece of fucking cotton cloth over their mouths in indoor public places to stop the spread of this virus. Because "it's uncomfortable." Because "I cAn'T bReAtHe when I wear a mask!" Because "tyranny!" Because "I hEaRd oN fAcEbOoK!"
At this point in the pandemic, knowing what we know about this virus, you people who are not wearing a mask in public because you think your "freedoms" are being violated are the most selfish, stupid, worthless fucking cunts imaginable. I hate you. I actually fucking hate you. My aunt who was being treated for cancer is now dead from COVID. An obese and diabetic neighbor whose lawn I used to cut for free because of her health conditions died two weeks ago from COVID that her roommate gave her. An elderly patient that I saw four times in clinic and whom I fit a pair of hearing aids for so she could talk to her grandchildren again, is now dead from COVID as of three days ago. She lived in a nursing home.
If you have the gall, the AUDACITY, to think that your "right" to not wear a mask is more important than giving other vulnerable people the best chance to live, you are a worthless piece of fucking shit and you deserve to get COVID. Fuck you.
Y'know, some folks can't wear masks due to respiratory conditions. Don't judge so harshly.
Walk down the street naked and see how long that freedom lasts. As it turns out, the government can absolutely force you to cover parts if your body with pieces of cloth.
5299486
https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/some-medical-conditions-can-make-mask-wearing-difficult-experts-say/
In the article:
And...
If you have respiratory conditions that are so severe that you can't wear a mask, then you shouldn't go out at all. And if you do have no other option, you MUST rely on others to wear a mask for your benefit so they don't give the virus to you since you can't wear a mask yourself. The vast, VAST majority of people have no medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask.
And 99.9% of the ones claiming they have these medical conditions are lying and providing fake "mask exempt" cards that the Justice Department had to make an announcement about. https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/06/27/884272188/justice-department-issues-warning-about-fake-mask-exempt-cards Anyone that does this is a literal piece of shit and I will judge them as harshly as possible.
My county just made masks mandatory. Not sure why that didn't happen sooner, honestly.
5299486
If "some people" have legitimate reasons not to wear a mask, they are the exception, not the rule. And if that reason is a pre-existing respiratory condition, they should be self-quarantining anyways.
If it's any consolation, the same thing is happening all over the world. Especially in European countries that 'opened up' we have 50-75% MORONS refusing to wear the damn thing (even though it IS mandatory in closed spaces). It's probably the effect of living with this pandemic for these few months. People are used to the virus so much, they don't care anymore.
It pisses me off too, but what can you do
?
5299486
Yeah, sure... As soon as our governments began opening the economy, 50-75% of people over here in Europe 'suddenly' developed 'respiratory problems' preventing them from wearing a mask. Strangely enough, just a few weeks back, when the restrictions were in full strength, they had no issues wearing one whatsoever...
Don't buy into this BS, friend. Over here, I get funny looks because I always wear my mask when going to shop, church, or whatever. People are just too comfortable, thinking this thing is over - that's the main reason they don't care anymore.
Sadly, everything indicates, they'll be for a nasty surprise in the coming months...
5299519
My ma has severe asthma. She does wear a mask, but it makes her sick if she wears it too long. You don't know someone's story.
5299530
Now, don't get me wrong here, I realize that some people can't wear a mask. My cousin is one of them, due to heart problems, when she wears one, she's on the verge of passing out. But as Arwhale said, these people are exceptions, and they CAN legally, not wear a mask (at least over here).
But, when I go to the local market and see 8/10 people without a mask, or go to church and see 80/100 people without one (young and old), it's obvious that most of them are not wearing it only because it's uncomfortable. The math is clear here, and some are bold enough to openly admit it, so
The worst part is, that as Arwhale said, idiots that can wear one but won't are putting in danger those who really can't wear one...
I honestly feel that anyone who believes that wearing a facial mask to prevent the spread of an infectious disease will somehow make one inclined to converting to Islam, is someone who should be prevented from breeding.
Furthermore: if you claim that choice of clothing equates to converting; not actual intent to study and convert, then clearly you're not taking your own faith seriously if putting on the wrong hat will magically make you march into a different place of worship.
5299486
This. This I can agree with. If wearing a mask puts you in actual danger: then don't. Reach out to your friends and family for support. Paranoid ferals (I don't care who this offends: people are behaving like ferals) are getting into fights with people for sneezing, because allergies are apparently a Liberal Hoax (like Covid-19 was just a few months ago according to some people, but I digress); having a respitory attack while wearing a mask might get you killed.
So why doesn't America's own president wear one ?
5299607
Because he's a narcissistic man child that does what he wants and doesn't care about others.
It really bothers me when I go shopping with a mask and gloves on, and no one else does, not even a mask. What makes me the most upset is that the mask doesn't prevent the wearer from getting it from others, just the wearer from spreading it.
By not wearing one, they are basically saying that they don't care about anyone else. And until someone they know gets sick and dies, they won't care.
I feel like some twisted scientist is pulling some Joker-esque altruism test on the human race with this virus.
5299686
So reinforce your immune system.
It makes me facepalm so hard when people simply sit and quiver in fear.
I got it, I copped it.
Now I have the IgG antibodies.
I felt sick for a week, so did my family.
And that includes a family member who has an immune disorder. An at risk person.
Ironically, she was already taking Iodine which has been known in peer-reviewed medical journals since the Spanish Flu as being "the most potent virucide on the planet".
But whatever, if America doesn't want to follow accepted immune building practices like other countries, then you see result.
People get the virus and fall.
So sad. I don't get it.
5299690
Congrats on your family not dying from COVID, but the way you're talking it sounds like you're insinuating that when people die from this thing, it's their fault that they died because they "didn't build up their immune systems." You're also making a pretty unscientific and anecdotal at best assumption that iodine is the reason why your immunocompromised family member survived with a relatively mild case, when in reality, "at risk" simply means you are at a much higher risk of dying, not necessarily that it's a death sentence in all cases. There are people who are obese and have diabetes that get this thing and are fine without hospitalization, but their risk is still much higher statistically. Additionally, iodine was found to be an effective in vitro virucide for COVID back in March and April, but that doesn't mean that it is the same in vivo and that doesn't mean it is effective for treating people who already have COVID 19 propagating in their respiratory system.
As a preventative measure? I'm not aware of any studies, in America or elsewhere, that have investigated iodine yet for preventing COVID infection or for preventing severe symptom onset if you do get infected, but wouldn't it be nice if it was that simple? Unfortunately, it most likely isn't. And insinuating that people are dying because it's their fault for not "building up their immune systems" with supplements is insulting and quite frankly, it pisses me off.
It's like saying, "Oh, you didn't even know about iodine despite there being nothing in the news media and very little scientific literature regarding its effect on COVID-19? Well damn son, you DESERVED to get a severe case/your mom deserved to die because you didn't even PREPARE like we did!"
Good for you. I got it too, pretty early on. So did my sister. We tested positive for antibodies. She didn't get too bad a case and just felt sick for a few days. I had a rougher time, and for several days it was very hard to breathe, and I actually wondered if it would keep getting worse and kill me because of how bad I felt. My lungs still aren't back to normal months later, and while I've still been trying to walk and run daily and do calisthenic workouts, it's taken me quite a while to even get to the point where I can run a mile at a very slow pace. I am a young guy, and when I contracted the virus I was only a little overweight (by about 10 pounds). My bloodwork that I had to get prior to COVID even really being detected in the USA (as a part of monitoring things related to my medication for Bipolar II) also showed nothing abnormal or deficient at the time.
And let's unpack this statement you made, too:
As far as I know, there is not a single country that has developed a clinical protocol of using iodine for either acute or preventative treatment in patients with COVID-19. You're welcome to prove me wrong, but I doubt you'll find anything about that overseas. So why are you chiding Americans for not following your pet treatment and acting like it's their fault when they get a severe case or even die?
No, you really don't get it at all.
5299530
This blog is talking about people that don't wear masks because "muh freedom", not people who are not wearing masks because they have severe medical conditions. This blog post is about people who LIE about having said severe medical conditions so they can go around without a mask on because "muh freedom."
Your mother has severe asthma, and despite suffering WAY worse discomfort than you or I ever would wearing a mask, still does her best to wear it for a time period she can tolerate it. If SHE can still make an effort to wear a mask for her own health and the health of the people around her, other people with no such medical conditions have absolutely zero excuse.
And while you are right about not necessarily knowing why a person I'm encountering in daily life isn't wearing a mask, the fact remains that when people are congregating in bars in Florida without masks on, I don't need to wonder if they aren't wearing a mask because they all have severe respiratory conditions. No, they aren't wearing masks because they are selfish and stupid at best and morally bankrupt at worst. Period.
5299727
Well holy crap mate.
You misunderstood me so hard my jaw is dropped. Damn.
If you think I am that much of a cretin, then all I have to say is I'm sorry for the impression.
From where I live all media reports out of USA seem to be doom and gloom.
THAT is what I refer to as "quivering in fear".
There is no cure.
We know that.
But the AMA has sent directives to its front line workers, one of which is my sister, an RN.
This involves Iodine, among others.
As there is no cure then the old mainstays of medicine are being applied.
Australia, New Zealand and Canada (these countries that I know of) have directives for Iodine in times of need. The last time we needed to do this was in 1994.
I don't live in the USA and all I see are news reports of fear and people believing that there is nothing to be done, besides wearing basic PPE.
That is what I mean.
It is very sad to see.
I'm glad you and your family got over it.
EDIT:
Also I wasn't chiding Americans, it was intended towards your government. It is a big reason why your curve flattening did not go as hoped.
For that, I am truly sorry. I hope your country recovers soon.
5299519
Fuuuck, really? Poland, right? That's very unfortunate. Your country has done an overall good job at containing this thing to a linear increase for the past few months. I hope it doesn't go to shit because people aren't wearing masks anymore. Sorry to hear that.
5299491
Exactly. Spot on.
5299507
Which country if you don't mind me asking? Glad they at least did it at all, rather than never! Still sucks though.
5299739
Considering how positive all of my past interactions with you have been, my jaw dropped when I read your first comment, too. Glad to know it was a misunderstanding. That being said, your first comment did NOT get your point across effectively at all and could be easily taken a different way from what you meant.
Thank you for clarifying. Just understand that the vast majority of people (in my experience) who have made statements like "stop quivering in fear" do so when they're talking about how stupid people are to wear masks and chiding them for "living their life in fear" simply because they are taking proper precautions. Glad to know that wasn't what you were doing.
I was not aware of these things, so thank you for bringing them to light. Still, I stand by my statement that no evidence has yet been found of any association between iodine levels and positive COVID outcomes, and nor has their been any evidence showing its effectiveness as an acute treatment for COVID in vivo. If they are already using it in clinic for COVID patients in underlined protocols, they are most certainly reporting that they are administering those treatments to a database whenever they are applied so that it is on record. If iodine is effective, then it stands to reason they would have likely "pinged" up a positive correlation by now, and at very least, preliminary results on behalf of the hospital(s) would be reported. I think that it is more likely that iodine isn't helping that much rather than iodine being some sort of effective COVID treatment that is just slipping through the cracks.
The fact is though, that PPE truly IS the most effective means of preventing COVID from spreading. It is, without a doubt, the number 1 good thing to do and it's not even close. And yet, so many people aren't fucking doing it. Even if ALL that could be done was wearing masks, the effectiveness is unquestionable. Furthermore, even if you do become infected while wearing a mask, doing so also likely decreases any initial viral exposure amounts, which in turn is associated with milder case progression.
PPE is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to be effective. Iodine and other supplements are absolutely not, or at least not yet.
Gotcha. Thank you again for clarifying.
Our government is run by imbeciles across the board, so I'm not optimistic about our chances. But thank you for the well-wishes. Wherever you live, I hope the situation is improving and will continue to do so.
Thank you. I'm glad your family got over it, too.
...
But once again, you have to understand, your first comment I replied to... it sucked, bro. It SUCKED. Seriously. I took it the wrong way for a reason and I'm very glad you clarified what you meant in this reply. Stay safe.
5299747
Oh. That's "county," not "country." Just my greater city's area, not a national thing.
5299796
Ohh, my bad. I totally misread that.
Well, glad they mandated masks regardless! Sorry it wasn't sooner, though. Like, two months ago...
5299780
Yeah indeed mate, I had another read of my original comment and the last statement now glares at me.
Consider it a case of knowing what is intended inside the commenter's head VS how the post may be interpreted.
Sorry.
I see you've also done your research and know the difference between in vivo and in vitro. Most people don't know.
One treatment that's been fast tracked in our local production is a povidone-iodine inhaler.
While it kills covid, and the other coronavirus SARS to "below detectable levels", using povidone-iodine in this way can damage the mucus linings.
They are now in the final phase of testing, having developed a buffered form.
https://www.afr.com/companies/healthcare-and-fitness/melbourne-company-creates-nasal-spray-for-coronavirus-20200220-p542ly
^^^ This article is old, this was back in phase one. The recent release is around.
Also among our doctors and health care workers in this hostile environment, this is one of the methods being shared. Very similar - for those who can't wait.
https://ericlevi.com/2020/04/04/the-use-of-povidone-iodine-nasal-spray-and-mouthwash-during-the-current-covid19-pandemic/
It is up to them to decide.
Stay safe mate. All the best.
5299739
I am so glad you clarified that, because I was in utter disbelief at what I was reading.
5299807
Sorry, not convinced.
The most common natural source of iodine for humans is the sea, by way of seafood or, if living close enough, aerosol.
(The most common unnatural source is iodine supplemented table salt.)
This should result in coastal residents being significantly better off, especially visible in severely affected countries like Spain, but I know of no such findings.
Also, it doesn't explain why e.g. the Netherlands have been hit harder than Northern Germany.
5300762
Valid points.
In a peer-reviewed article of Thyroid Medicine journal this was discussed.
It was found that nitrates in food severely inhibited the uptake of Iodine.
They also proposed that this was a reason why Japan fared just as bad as the rest of the world despite their higher intake of Iodine via Nori (seaweed).
As far as viralcidal activity goes, Iodine still holds the crown. Which explains why the health care workers in the front line are taking these measures. At least according to my sister. She is staying as safe as she can.
In USA and China, patients have even been given intravenous vitamin C. Look it up. And it's now been peer-reviewed. We are not doing that here though, but we're using the Iodine protocols.
All the best, stay safe.
5300177
Not my brightest moment.
That's what I get for quickly jotting some thoughts down in a post while I am on break during my final week of study.
Brain went blah. Fingers followed.
5300839
well, at the moment everything is rather grabbing at straws ...
What I find interesting is the significant correlation of low Vitamin D3 with mortality. No conclusive data about which direction causation goes, or whether there even is causation, yet, but making sure your D3 level is in the recommended range doesn't sound like a bad idea anyway, and D3+K2 supplements are readily available.
5300856
Yes, D3 and K2 are always important.
That said, we encountered some paramedics on the job who didn't know what vitamin K was. The topic of conversation was blood clots and vitamin K.
He said: "You know that's just potassium, right?"
Uhh, no. The symbol for potassium is 'K'.
Vitamin K is an essential vitamin as it cannot be produced by the body... although it is produced by bacteria in the gut.